1: Never Become Separated From Your Lunch
2: Safety! Safety! Safety!
Always be wary of hazards and other people, who will often do what you least expect when you least expect it.
Always look before acting, and keep looking. Just because the area around you was clear when you started felling that tree, does not mean that it will still be clear when that same tree comes crashing down.
Mentally access the risks and never act without thinking, and bear in mind that as people get tired towards the end of the day that is when accidents are most likely to happen.
More importantly, the experienced volunteer will assess their colleagues to determine which ones are best avoided, especially those in a position to fell something large and heavy into a space you already inhabit.
Enjoy yourself, but above all be safe.
3: You Cut It You Drag It
4: Never Assume
4.1: With age does not necessarily come wisdom.
4.2: Despite its name commonsense is not always common
4.3: Often there will be at least as many suggestions on how to proceed as there are volunteers employed in the task.
4.4: It is not wise to assume that any of these suggestions in 4.3 is correct.
5: You Have The Right To Choose
6: The Law Of Holes
1: No matter how many times and by what method you measure the exact position of a hole it will always end up in the wrong place.
2: The last hole of the day will always be the hardest to dig, regardless of the evidence provided by the preceding ones.
3: Wherever a hole has to be dug will be the exact location of:
- The largest collection of flint on the site, if not the county.
- A block of concrete so large that it defies all attempts to determine its dimension, purpose or how it came to be there.
- A utility pipe, the position of which defies logic as it does not appear to run between two obvious points.
- A power cable, despite the fact that you are in a large open field.
- All of the above.
7: Engage Passers-by In Conversation At Your Peril
1: They will assume that anyone working in pouring rain or intense heat must be serving a community service order for some unspeakable affront to society and will treat you with a combination of loathing, contemp and deep suspicion.
2: They will approach you only to berate you for destroying 'their' beautiful countryside, on the grounds that only they know what’s best for the natural environment.
3: They will engage you in their life story, defying you to get away without resorting to extreme violence or suicide.
4: Just occasionally someone will go out of their way to thank you for the difference you are making, and these are the people who help to make everything you do worthwhile.
Passers-by should also note that the converse is also true and engaging the ‘wrong’ volunteer may result in many an hour spent with someone whose enthusiasm far outweighs their actual knowledge.
8: The Weather Forecast Is For Entertainment Only
9: Look After Your Tools
If you are selecting your tools from a pool always take the time to find a good one and then never let it out of your sight.
Better still, use your own, the one way you can ensure it is properly looked after and that it doesn’t go missing the moment your back is turned.